PATIENTS have been celebrating ‘angels without wings’ who cared for them when at their lowest ebb.

Nurses from Dorset County Hospital dressed in uniforms from Florence Nightingale’s era to mark National Nurses Day and to raise awareness about their contributions.

A display of some of the Lady of the Lamp’s ‘kit’, including her care book and her medicines, went on show.

Each nurse told patients, visitors and doctors in Dorset County Hospital’s restaurant just why they think nursing is so important.

They also shared some of their stories about how their care has touched the lives of Dorset residents.

Ann Little, who began her nursing career 33 years ago, said: “I remember one patient who came in with a stroke and was admitted again about six months later. I remembered him and he said that really struck him that I knew his name.

“It’s little things like knowing your patients and remembering their names that makes a difference.”

Deputy charge nurse Ian Sheppard believes that laughter, if not the best, is a good medicine.

“I think that everyone appreciates a good sense of humour whether they are well or not and that helps develop a rapport so we can talk to them.

“Anecdotes are always good because people who are going through an illness are always worried or frightened and it helps to tell them about someone else who’s been through it. It’s reassurance,” he said.

Former private secretary Dee Angell became a nurse after she saw her son nursed back to health when he spent a spell in intensive care as a four-year-old.

“The nurses were so dedicated in looking after him and in looking after me as well.

“They were like holistic carers and I knew straight away that it was what I wanted to do,” she said.

Now a nutritional nurse specialist, Dee counts four former patients as her good friends.

Diabetics nurse specialist Elaine Adams said one of her first patients was her most memorable.

“My first job was in an elderly care unit. I got to know one of the patients there and she was brought back from the brink.

“Seeing her walking out the door again made me feel good and reminded me of the reason why I’m a nurse.”